Indian rummy card game is all about strategies and moves that a player makes based on those strategies to win. Whether a player will win or lose in a rummy game is dependent on the moves he/she makes during the game. The person who forms the sets, sequences first and makes a valid declaration wins the game. It sounds easy but most players make wrong moves which results in them losing the game. Since there are certain common mistakes that can ruin your game let’s explain what they are which you should avoid especially playing a real cash game.

Not Knowing the Rules: There are many online rummy games and basic rules for most are the same. However, there might be certain exceptions for certain games or tables. Hence sometimes players assume that all games have the same rules and start playing only to know later on that they should have gone through the rules completely and not assume that they know all. By then it’s too late to come back and win the game. So, it’s always better to know the rummy rules than regret later on.

Not Arranging Cards Properly: Players who don’t arrange their cards properly struggle with managing time in the rummy game. Arranging cards properly helps in concentrating on the game better. It also saves time to focus on moves as you will not be confused about which cards to pick and discard. A good way to arrange your cards effectively is to alternate the colours. Make a perfect rummy card sequence will help you to make strategies quickly.

Playing in Haste: There’s a saying; haste makes waste. If you are trying to play a game when you don’t have the time then avoid playing. Every move is important hence players should take their time making every move because haste usually proves costly.

Lack of Focus: While you might be playing the rummy game but mind can be wandering and not paying attention to the game. This will make you miss moves that your opponent could be planning. You might also make mistakes while making your moves resulting in ruining your game. Hence it is extremely important that the player is completely focused on the game when playing.

Holding High Value Cards for Too Long: A common mistake many online rummy players usually make is that they wait for too long to discard cards with higher points. These cards are usually the face cards and Ace as well. Learn importance of ACE in rummy game. It is vital for your chances in the game to avoid doing that. This will ensure that if your opponent declares before you do, your loss points are reduced.

Not Going for Smart Cards: When playing a real cash game in online rummy the winning hand often belongs to the first person to meld their cards. These cards are called smart cards because they can be easily converted into a run. Cards such as 5,6,7,8,9 of the same suit are smart cards and can be used in a number of different combinations. So, if you aren’t looking to make full use of these smart cards you are messing up big time.

Not Holding On To Your Jokers Tightly: Joker in rummy is one of the most powerful cards. Hence it is vital for players to make the best possible use of it and not get rid of it quickly. Once discarded it can’t be picked up again so, a golden tip is that one should always use of joker in rummy to complete a run or set of higher point value. The focus should also be to not use the joker card in a natural run.

Chasing Losses: Taking emotional decisions in the game can’t be called rummy passion. So, players who chase their losses playing rummy are likely to ruin their game and money. When a player plays with the intention of recovering the loss suffered in the game previously, he/she isn’t exactly focusing on the game practically but emotionally and that’s never recommended. Players should play rummy with self-imposed limits. They should never ever go overboard and play more than one’s risk handling ability and capacity. If you have lost cash, don’t just play to recover your losses. Chasing your losses can make the losses even bigger. The best approach in such a scenario is to take a short break, analyze your game, assess your rummy strategies and then play when you are in the right frame of mind.

Making An Invalid Declaration: Declaration is the final step in a rummy game which decides the winner. If a player makes an invalid declaration all the hard work in the game is of no use. Making an invalid rummy declaration can make the players lose the round with 80 points. This can be avoided by regularly shuffling the cards.

Rummy though is a very popular game but still people find some rules confusing. So, if you want to play rummy but all this while have been struggling with the rules of playing the rummy card game. Let’s get that sorted for you first. This will help you enjoy the game on your favorite rummy app PlayRummy. Below is the detailed explanation for beginners on how to play the rummy game online and excel at it.

Players & Deck: Online Rummy is played among two to five players and each player is dealt 13 cards. For two or four players, two 52-card decks (104 cards) and four jokers (wild cards) are used and for five players, three decks (156 cards) and six jokers are used. Each player deals the cards in clockwise direction.

The game begins with a player making the first move after a random toss. The next card from the deck is placed face up on the table and this starts the discard pile/open deck. The remaining cards are placed face down in the centre of the table and this is called the stock pile or closed deck.

Next, a card is picked from the stock pile and placed face up under the stock pile so that it is visible. All the cards of that rank regardless of the suit can be utilised as additional jokers or wild cards.

The objective of the playing online game is to form sequences and sets. When a player has done that, the declaration can be made.

Sequences: These are of two kinds of pure and impure. A pure sequence are three consecutive cards of the same suit. When playing with three 52-card decks, the three cards of same rank and same suit are also treated as pure sequence. It is an impure sequence when a printed joker or a wild card is used to create a sequence.

Set: A set is considered a pure one when three cards are of the same rank but of different suit. If two or more cards of the same suit are used to make a set of three or more cards then the set is not valid. This is applicable in gameplays with two or more decks of cards. Though a set can be built with a wild card or a printed joker.

Jokers: There are also two types: wild joker and printed joker. At the start of each game, a wild joker card is randomly selected. This card can be used as a replacement to any required card after you meet the requirement of at least one valid sequence. Printed jokers also serve the same purpose since you can use them to replace any other card to form sets and sequences.

First & Second Life: In a valid declaration you must have a minimum two sequences. One of the two required sequences must have a pure sequence and the other must have a minimum of 4 cards. The three cards of same rank and same suit are treated as pure sequence and can be treated as a first life.

Valid Rummy Declaration: A valid declaration in online rummy game can be made in different ways:

First can be when a player declares with pure and sequences and sets. All the 13 cards are arranged in valid sequences and sets. It has a minimum of two sequences and both are pure sequences and meet the valid declaration in rummy game criteria of having at least two sequences, out of which one is a pure sequence and one has four cards.

The second form valid rummy declaration can be declared with pure and impure sets & sequence combination. The objective of the game is met by having at least two sequences, out of which one is a pure sequence and one has four in a sequence.

Wrong Declaration: The declaration by player will be considered wrong if a player declares without forming a pure sequence. Same way declarations are made without any sequence or when a set is formed with the same value card of the similar suit.

Dropping from the game: If a player wants to drop from the game without picking even a single card from the discard pile or stockpile, the player will lose 10 points. If he/she drops in between a hand, before any other player has done a valid declaration, they stand to lose 30 points.

How to win in rummy: When a player has arranged all the cards in hand in either proper sequences and/or sets, including one pure sequence, they need to declare the game by discarding one of their cards to the declaring slot. After that is done, they need to rearrange the cards in proper sequences and/or sets to show them to their opponents and wait for them to show their respective hands.